Macintosh Portable
Laptops1989Very Rare
Apple's first laptop — a machine so far ahead of its time and so far behind what the market wanted that it became a legend in its own lifetime. At 16 pounds and $6,500, it was neither portable nor affordable. But it had a genuine active-matrix display, a trackball, and full Mac capability. Apple engineers learned exactly what not to do, and redirected that knowledge into the PowerBook 100 two years later.
Reference →Identity
- Manufacturer
- Apple
- Model Number
- M5120
Dates & Pricing
- Introduced
- 1989-09-20
- Discontinued
- 1991-02-11
- Release Year
- 1989
- Original Price (Low)
- $6,500
- Estimated Value
- $400
Processor
- CPU
- Motorola 68HC000
- CPU Speed
- 16 MHz
- Bus Speed
- 16 MHz
Memory
- RAM
- 1-8 MB
- RAM Max
- 8 MB
- RAM Slots
- 1
- RAM Type
- SRAM Card
Storage & Display
- Storage
- None, 40 MB
- Graphics
- Built-in 9.8" Active Matrix LCD 640x400
- Screen Size
- 9.8" Monochrome
- Display Type
- Monochrome
- Native Resolution
- 640x400
Expansion & Ports
- Expansion Slots
- Modem
- Ports
- Video (Monitor): 1 (HDI-15) , Floppy (Ext.): 1 (DB-19) , ADB: 1 , SCSI: 1 (DB-25) , Serial (Standard): 2 , Sound Out: 1 (8-Bit Stereo) , Security (Lock): 1
Software
- Operating System
- 6.0.4
- Min OS
- 6.0.4
- Max OS
- 7.5.5
Physical
- Weight
- 15.8 lbs
- Dimensions
- 4.0 x 15.25 x 14.8
- Battery Type
- Lead-Acid
Variants
eBay Sale Prices
Sales
19
Typical Low
$299
25th %ile
Typical High
$475
75th %ile
Avg / Median
$421
$420 med
Full range: $250–$900 across 19 sales
Auction
BIN
BIN + OBO
Median
Typical range
10 most recent sales
Vintage 1989 Apple Macintosh Portable Computer M5120 9.8" LCD With Bag
2026-07-16$297
Vintage 1989 Apple Macintosh Portable (Model M5120) w/ Original Apple Charger
2026-07-14$425
Apple Macintosh Portable Vintage Laptop Computer w/ Case and Manuals
2026-07-08$450
Apple Macintosh Portable Computer M5120 w/ Apple Carry Bag
2026-07-03$250
Vintage 1989 Apple Macintosh Portable M5120 Laptop w/ Case, Charger, Batt, Docs
2026-07-02$500
Vintage 1989 Apple Macintosh Portable M5120 Laptop w/ Case & Charger
2026-06-25$300
Apple Macintosh Portable Computer M5120 w/ Apple Carry Bag
2026-06-16$300
Apple Macintosh Portable Vintage Laptop Computer w/ Case and Manuals
2026-06-16$800
Vintage 1989 Apple Macintosh Portable Computer M5120 9.8" LCD w/Bag **READ**
2026-06-11$250
Apple Macintosh Portable Computer w/ Apple Carry Bag And Power Adapter
2026-06-05$250
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